Building on the existing strength of the programme in delivering economic benefits, the updated direction will focus on delivery of the government mission of driving economic growth.<\/p>\n
HEIF invests \u00a3280 million annually to drive underpinning and bespoke knowledge exchange activities in universities.<\/p>\n
This enables world-leading research and expertise to be translated into real-world solutions that benefit economies and communities across the nation.<\/p>\n
As a structural fund, HEIF is integral to:<\/p>\n
A core strength of the programme is the flexibility, enabling universities to leverage their core strengths to meet the specific needs of local partners and respond to emerging opportunities.<\/p>\n
Research England has set out the refreshed strategic direction for HEIF by outlining the scope and phases of implementation in a circular letter<\/a> to the sector.<\/p>\n This is set alongside updated HEIF policies and priorities<\/a> for the 2026 to 2031 funding period which begins implementation of the shift in strategic focus.<\/p>\n The greater focus of the programme on economic growth will be implemented through two phases:<\/p>\n Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, said:<\/p>\n Our universities are driving critical innovation and growth across the nation. Through Higher Education Innovation Funding institutions are building partnerships that spark new inventions, products and services, strengthen local economies and boost productivity.<\/p>\n HEIF does this with exceptional value, currently returning \u00a314.80 for every \u00a31 invested.<\/p>\n As we review and evolve the programme, we want to build on this but increase our focus: ensuring that HEIF delivers even stronger outcomes that support the government\u2019s mission for economic growth and that universities remain central to the UK\u2019s innovation ecosystem by addressing the needs of the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper and the Modern Industrial Strategy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The latest HEIF policies and priorities sets a new outcomes-focused approach to how HEPs should consider their plans for HEIF, specifically that HEIF use should focus on delivering economic growth outcomes.<\/p>\n The updated government priorities includes those set out in the \u2018Post-16 education and skills white paper\u2019 and Modern Industrial Strategy, where HEIF is named as a key intervention.<\/p>\n This is alongside the economic growth mission in the government\u2019s Plan for Change.<\/p>\n From 2026, HEIF-funded activity will be expected to make the most of institutions\u2019 distinct strengths and capabilities to deliver measurable outcomes that contribute to driving economic growth.<\/p>\n It is recognised that this can be achieved through a variety of knowledge exchange mechanisms and that growth can be delivered nationally, regionally, locally or by creating opportunities for:<\/p>\n A novel framework for considering university knowledge exchange contributions to growth<\/a> was published today by Research England\u2019s national knowledge exchange metrics advisors, University Commercialisation and Innovation Policy Evidence Unit.<\/p>\n The framework dissects this challenge into four \u2018dimensions\u2019 of activity:<\/p>\n The final element of this first review phase is the introduction of a revised accountability template.<\/p>\n Requested approximately every five years, accountability statements set out plans from institutions for how they will use and manage their HEIF to contribute to the updated policies and priorities for HEIF.<\/p>\n The new design builds on insights from the recent HEIF evaluations, using an outcomes-based approach to further strengthen the evidence base for how institutions use HEIF to deliver desired economic outcomes.<\/p>\n For the first time, this framework also seeks information on institutional approaches to equality diversity and inclusion (EDI) in knowledge exchange, as set out in Research England\u2019s EDI action plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n Research England is committed to building on the exceptional value and strategic impact that HEIF has demonstrated since its inception in its current formula form in 2008.<\/p>\n\n
Driving critical innovation<\/h2>\n
Review phase one: driving HEIF contributions to economic growth<\/h2>\n
Knowledge exchange mechanisms<\/h3>\n
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Revised accountability template<\/h3>\n
HEIF\u2019s proven value as a basis for improvement<\/h2>\n